A record of the 1939 Stepney Tenants Defence League's rent strikes and demands
for a nationwide rent act to protect tenants rights. Illustrates the problems
faced by the poor living in slum conditions in London's East End. Highlights
the problems of poor sanitation, spread of disease, vermin control and
unsatisfactory refuse collection. The Stepney tenants join together to demand
better housing and healthier living conditions from both the landlords and
Central Government. They present landlords with a demand for a decrease in
their rent and repairs to their housing. The landlords refuse the demands and
this leads to a rent strike and protest marches throughout London. Tenants
demonstrate outside their landlords' homes and places of business. Eventually
local councils agree to the tenants demands and landlords are forced to cut
rents and make repairs.
The film accuses Central Government of ignoring the needs of the poor in
favour of landlords and encourages the working class to fight for a new
socialist government which would provide new housing, healthier living
conditions and legal rights for tenants. (NFA Catalogue)